A Foolish Heart (Regency Shakespeare Book 1) Read online

  “It has all turned out perfectly, hasn’t it?” Viola sighed. “‘All’s well that ends well.’ Though Edith will be shocked beyond measure when she discovers it all! What an adventure she passed up by staying at Westwood!”

  “If you don’t mind,” said Solomon, tucking Mercy’s hand into the crook of his arm more securely, “Mercy and I have quite a journey ahead of us, and I have no desire at all to prolong it a moment longer than necessary.”

  Mercy’s heart dropped for a moment. “But Deborah,” she said. “I meant to go before you to speak with your father. And now…”

  Deborah and Frederick shared another glance between them. “Go, Mercy.” Deborah reached for her hand and grasped it. “It is time I learned to speak with my own father without you acting as the middlewoman, don’t you think? And besides, Frederick will be there to help me.”

  Mercy embraced her one last time, feeling full to overflowing with gratitude and joy.

  Quick embraces were exchanged among the cousins and handshakes between the men. Solomon helped Mercy up into the coach, then went to the servant holding his horse to instruct him on a few matters before returning. He hopped in with far more energy than seemed possible after the days he had just passed, then shut the door, seating himself snugly beside Mercy.

  “I should warn you”—he scooted even closer to her—“I am prone to sickness on long trips in the carriage.”

  She turned her head in dismay and, noting the twinkle in his eye, smiled responsively. “Surely you don’t think that I could be scared off by something so paltry as that prospect,” she said. “I think I have proven myself beyond a shadow of a doubt in that regard.” She looked down at her dress, freshly laundered. “Besides, I am resigned to the fact that this particular dress be nothing more than a receptacle for such things.”

  Solomon laughed and knocked a fist against the ceiling to signal their readiness to depart. “Fear not. I shall buy you ten such dresses to replace it. Besides, I am not prone to sickness from long voyages. I was only testing your resolve a final time.”

  She regarded him with narrowed, suspicious eyes. She knew he was teasing her, and she was thankful for it—that they could speak freely of the past and laugh about it.

  Thank heaven it was the past.

  “You still believe me so volatile as to be in danger of changing my mind?”

  Solomon looked down at her, pushing her bonnet back as the coach lurched forward. “I am afraid it is far too late for that, my love. Like it or not, we are for Gretna Green.”

  He pulled the shade down over the coach window and leaned in to kiss her soundly.

  Epilogue

  It was mid-September before Solomon and Mercy’s carriage slowed to a stop in front of Westwood Hall. Only the chill descending upon them in the mornings and the long-delayed need for Solomon to attend to some pressing business matters had pulled them away from the extended tour of Scotland they had decided to embark upon after their elopement.

  Mercy smiled up at her husband, unable to resist a little laugh as Westood came into view. “Can you believe that the last time you were here, you were setting out to stop an elopement? And you return now having participated in your own.”

  The corner of his mouth tugged up and he leaned over to kiss her. “A far happier outcome than I anticipated when I embarked upon that wild goose chase, I assure you.”

  Mercy peered through the window at the group of people filing out of the house. “They have assembled quite a royal welcome—I understand your aunt has joined the house party today to perform a reading of her newest work.”

  “Good heavens.” Solomon leaned over her to squint through the window, and his brows shot up. “Your parents and siblings. Mine,” he listed. “Your uncle’s family—oh ho! And he stands beside Mr. Coburn very calmly indeed.”

  “Yes,” Mercy said, “from Deborah’s letter, it sounds as though he has actually taken a liking to Mr. Coburn now that he has accepted their betrothal. If he ever wished for a steadying influence upon Deborah, Mr. Coburn fulfills that role beautifully.”

  Solomon moved his head for a better view as the carriage pulled into the courtyard. “And there is Miss Pawnce—holding a book, of course, and standing beside Aunt Priscilla. And then two people I don’t know from Adam.” He sat back, allowing Mercy to take up the view again.

  “That is Edith.” Mercy grinned at the thought of what she would have to say about Mercy’s unplanned escape to the border. “And her brother Matthew and”—she smiled in surprise—“Matthew’s friend, Elias.”

  The carriage stopped, and Mercy shot Solomon a significant glance. “A royal welcome and fireworks to boot.”

  He looked a question at her.

  “Edith and Elias have long been friends and rivals.”

  He frowned, but the door opened, putting a stop to any further private conversation.

  Mercy took a moment to survey the crowd as the carriage door opened. She was relieved to see her aunt looking as well as Deborah had claimed. Mercy sincerely hoped that the new peace that had been achieved between Deborah and Uncle Richard would keep Aunt Harriet’s health in a better place for the foreseeable future.

  “Mama, Papa.” Mercy stepped down with Solomon’s assistance and embraced them one by one. She pulled back to stand beside Solomon, feeling only the slightest flutter of nerves in anticipation of her parents’ reactions. Whatever they thought of the marriage, Mercy had no regrets. If they had been truly angry, though, they would not have made sure to be at Westwood for the couple’s return.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Marcotte,” Solomon said with a bow. Mercy could see the watchful glint in his eyes as he waited for them to set the tone of the relationship.

  Mercy’s mother extended a warm hand toward him. “Come, Solomon. That is no way for a son to greet his mother-in-law.”

  He grinned in relief, submitting to her embrace, and Mercy’s heart warmed at the sight. Solomon would forgive them just as he had forgiven her.

  “I would scold the two of you for marrying without us present,”said Mercy’s father, shaking hands heartily with Solomon and smiling knowingly at him, “but I fear that would be hypocritical of me.”

  Mercy’s brow wrinkled. “Hypocritical?”

  Her parents shared a conspiratorial glance.

  “Married after a mad dash for the border,” Uncle Richard said from behind them. “Did they never tell you?”

  Mercy’s eyes widened, and she looked back and forth between her parents. Their guilty faces said it all, though. “Well, I never!” she cried.

  Solomon’s parents came forward, and Mercy directed a censorious glance at her parents as they shuffled away to make room. “Don’t think for a second that you shan’t be forced to recount the whole story to us!”

  Solomon’s mother wrapped her arms around Mercy in a heartfelt embrace. “I cannot tell you how thrilled I am,” she said into Mercy’s ear. “I have been hoping for just such a happy ending—and beginning—as this ever since”—

  Mercy nodded her understanding, fighting off tears of her own. She had forgotten just how much she loved Mrs. Kennett.

  It was ten minutes before the party made their way into Westwood Hall to partake of some refreshments.

  Edith came up beside them in the entry hall, linking her arm with Mercy’s. “I find myself torn between offering you my congratulations and my condolences.” Her eyes twinkled mischievously at Mercy.

  “Perhaps offering your silence is a better option.”

  Mercy turned toward the new voice, and Mr. Abram’s provoking smile met her eyes.

  “And here I was certain that you would throw in your lot with the condolences.” Edith didn’t even turn to look at him.

  “Ah,” Mr. Abram said, “but then I would be agreeing with you, and that is not something I am prepared to do.”

  Edith gave a nonchalant shrug of the shoulders. “Then you face a future of forever being wrong. But I suppose you are very accustomed to that by now.” She shot
him a saucy and false smile, breaking away from Mercy and turning into the drawing room before Mr. Abram could manage a rejoinder.

  Mr. Abram let out a scoff as he watched Edith disappear, then turned into the library.

  Solomon looked to Mercy, brows raised. “These are the fireworks you referred to?”

  “Fascinating, are they not?”

  “I found myself wanting to look away and yet unable to.”

  Mercy laughed. “A very apt description of my own response. And you will have plenty of opportunity to observe more, as they are never in the same room without coming to cuffs over some subject or other.”

  “Behold me thrilled at the prospect.”

  “I admit that I have always dreaded being in their company in the past.” She pulled on his arm, and his head came down toward her. They stopped just shy of the drawing room door. “But with you by my side, I feel equal to anything.” She wagged her brows. “I may even enjoy it.”

  He kissed her through his smile. “Then let us by all means enjoy it with some of this champagne your uncle has been speaking of.”

  Viola’s head peeked out from the drawing room door. She waved them in. “Come, you lovebirds! Miss Pickering has promised to do a reading of her current chef d’oeuvre.”

  “Vi!” Mercy extended her hand to invite Viola’s approach.

  Viola took Mercy’s hand, looking at her questioningly, while Mercy gave an encouraging nod to Solomon.

  A smile trembled at the corner of his mouth, and his gaze held Mercy’s in a way that promised retribution for what she was asking of him. Mercy smiled mischievously, looking forward to the prospect.

  Solomon finally shifted his gaze to Viola. “We wished to thank you, Miss Pawnce, for the vital role you played in our reconciliation.”

  Her mouth spread into a glowing grin. “It was my pleasure, I assure you, to play the role of Cupid.”

  “It was not all pleasure for me, unfortunately,” Solomon said dryly.

  Viola let out a sheepish laugh. “No, I am sure it was not. But it is just as Shakespeare said: ‘Cupid is a knavish lad.’” She gestured with her hand. “Come! Miss Pickering is starting!”

  She swept away in a flurry, leaving Solomon and Mercy to stare after her.

  “She is truly…”

  “Endearing?” Mercy offered.

  Solomon looked down at her, amused. “That was not the word I was searching for, my love.”

  “We would not be here without her, you know,” Mercy reasoned, letting him take her around the waist. “And you cannot pretend you didn’t miss her antics and poetry just a bit.”

  He chuckled. “It requires no pretending, I assure you.”

  Mercy tilted her head at him, raising her brows, and he smiled reluctantly. “Fine. Perhaps just the slightest bit.” He took her chin in hand. “If anyone asks, though, I only tolerate her for your sake.”

  She kissed his lips. “Your secret is safe with me, my sweet Solomon.”

  Quote Reference Guide

  Chapter Four

  “What is past is prologue.” The Tempest, William Shakespeare

  “A pair of star-crossed lovers.” Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare

  “For love is heaven, and heaven is love.” Love’s Nature Love, Sir Walter Scott

  Chapter Seven

  “Courage is reckoned the greatest of all virtues.” Samuel Johnson

  “A heart to love, and in that heart / Courage, to make love known.” Macbeth, William Shakespeare

  “Fire that’s closest kept burns most of all.” The Two Gentlemen of Verona, William Shakespeare

  Chapter Nine

  “Love is a smoke made with the fumes of sighs; / Being purg’d, a fire sparkling in lovers’ eyes.” Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare

  “For never was a story of more woe / Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.” Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare

  Chapter Ten

  “The deep of night is crept upon our talk, / And nature must obey necessity.” Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare

  Chapter Eleven

  “There are more things in heaven and earth, / Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” Hamlet, William Shakespeare

  Chapter Thirteen

  “To say the truth, reason and love / Keep little company together nowadays.” A Midsummer Night’s Dream, William Shakespeare

  “For though ‘tis got by chance, ‘tis kept by art.” Elegy XVI, John Donne

  “To the eyes of the man of imagination, nature is imagination itself.” William Blake

  “Beauty for ashes.” Isaiah 61:3, King James Version

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Reason is our soul’s left hand, / Faith her right.” To the Countess of Bedford, John Donne

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  “I know no ways to mince it in love than to directly say ‘I love you.’” Henry V, William Shakespeare

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  “The quality of mercy is not strained. / It dropped as the gentle rain from heaven / Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest: / It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.” The Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare

  “Suit the word to the action, the action to the word.” Hamlet, William Shakespeare

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  “All’s well that ends well.” William Shakespeare

  Epilogue

  “Cupid is a knavish lad.” A Midsummer Night’s Dream, William Shakespeare

  Other titles by Martha Keyes

  If you enjoyed this book, make sure to check out my other books:

  Families of Dorset Series

  Wyndcross: A Regency Romance (Book One)

  Isabel: A Regency Romance (Book Two)

  Cecilia: A Regency Romance (Book Three)

  Hazelhurst: A Regency Romance (Book Four)

  Phoebe: A Regency Romance (Series Novelette)

  Regency Shakespeare Series

  A Foolish Heart (Book One)

  Other Titles

  The Road through Rushbury (Seasons of Change Book One)

  Goodwill for the Gentleman (Belles of Christmas Book Two)

  Eleanor: A Regency Romance

  Join my Newsletter to keep in touch and learn more about the Regency era! I try to keep it fun and interesting.

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  Afterword

  Thank you so much for reading A Foolish Heart. I hope that you were able to feel the fun, ridiculous vibe of A Midsummer Night’s Dream while also enjoying a compelling love story.

  I also hope you are looking forward to reading the upcoming retellings in the series, where you will learn more in depth about some of the characters you’ve come to know briefly within these pages.

  I have done my best to be true to the time period and particulars of the day, so I apologize if I got anything wrong. I continue learning and researching while trying to craft stories that will be enjoyable to readers like you.

  If you enjoyed the book, please leave a review and tell your friends! Authors like me rely on readers like you to spread the word about books you’ve enjoyed.

  If you would like to stay in touch, please sign up for my newsletter. Along with seven other sweet Regency authors, I run a fun and active Facebook group called Sweet Regency Romance Fans. If you just want updates on new releases, you can follow me on BookBub or Amazon. You can also connect with me on Facebook and Instagram. I would love to hear from you!

  Acknowledgments

  Suffice it to say, I would never have had the courage—or the gall—to tackle a Shakespeare retelling without my mom. I grew up hearing and performing Shakespeare, thanks to her. She spent years—seventeen, to be exact—directing the sixth grade Shakespeare play at our local elementary school, changing many lives in the process. I owe so much to her.

  My husband is always kind, understanding, and quick to make writing time possible—along with all the other tasks that come with it—whenev
er I need.

  Thank you to my children who have continued to nap so that I can find time to write. May the odds continue to be in my favor.

  Thank you to my editor, Jenny Proctor, for her wonderful feedback—I’m so glad I have you!

  Thank you to my critique group partners, Jess, Kasey, and Evelyn for helping me get the book where I wanted it. I value our friendship and your input so much! Thank you to Jennie and my other beta readers for taking on the daunting task of tightening things up in the manuscript.

  Thank you to my Review Team for your help and support in an often nervewracking business.

  And as always, thank you to all my fellow Regency authors and to the wonderful communities of The Writing Gals and LDS Beta Readers. I would be lost without all of your help and trailblazing!

  About the Author

  Martha Keyes was born, raised, and educated in Utah—a home she loves dearly but also dearly loves to escape whenever she can travel the world. She received a BA in French Studies and a Master of Public Health, both from Brigham Young University.

  Word crafting has always fascinated and motivated her, but it wasn’t until a few years ago that she considered writing her own stories. When she isn’t writing, she is honing her photography skills, looking for travel deals, and spending time with her husband and children. She lives with her husband and twin boys in Vineyard, Utah.